Nigeria has unveiled its first digital museum of antiquities, a project designed to bring centuries-old cultural treasures into a virtual space accessible to anyone with an internet connection.

The initiative, launched in Lagos by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) with support from IHS Nigeria, features more than 200 artefacts from the National Museum of Lagos, including terracotta sculptures, ceremonial masks and other heritage objects. Each item has been 3D scanned and is presented in an immersive environment with contextual information on its origins and significance.

“This digital museum is a groundbreaking idea finally brought to fruition,” said Olugbile Holloway, Director General of NCMM, at the launch. “The vision is to make Nigeria’s heritage more accessible to younger, tech-savvy audiences and create a digital repository that will continue to grow.”

The project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises technology adoption and cultural preservation, and represents NCMM’s first major step toward digitising Nigeria’s cultural assets for education, tourism, and economic development.

Describing the project as a “proud moment” for IHS, Mohamad Darwish, CEO of IHS Nigeria, said the partnership underscores the company’s commitment to using technology to promote education, preserve heritage, and drive community transformation.

Officials say the digital museum will continue to expand, providing virtual access to Nigeria’s vast antiquities while protecting fragile items from damage or loss. It is also expected to stimulate national pride and attract interest from global researchers, students, and cultural enthusiasts.

Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, hailed the launch as a transformative milestone.

“This initiative not only preserves our heritage but also projects Nigeria’s cultural legacy onto the global stage,” she said. “It sets a new benchmark for public-private partnerships in the creative economy.”